A 66-year-old Bradenton retiree thought he was growing his savings with an online investment called “Tesla 1.” Instead, police say he was being squeezed by a blended investment and romance scam that bled at least $100,000 out of his accounts and into bank accounts tied to a woman in North Carolina.
Bradenton police say their elder-fraud unit uncovered two linked online scams that targeted the man over roughly two years. Detectives describe a mix of fake investment pitches, romance-style grooming and pressure to pay using Apple gift cards and cryptocurrency - all classic tools in the online scam playbook.
According to a post by the Bradenton Police Department, the victim reported buying $22,500 worth of Apple gift cards and handing over the card numbers and PINs to people posing as brokers. Investigators say about $87,651 was moved into bank accounts held in the name of Elizabeth Ann Hildbrand. The department says the victim told detectives he had invested about $300,000 over two years with the “Tesla 1” platform.
The same post notes that the department’s elder fraud unit has already investigated at least $750,000 in reported losses so far this year, after accounting for roughly $8,000,000 in reported losses in 2025. Police say Hildbrand was arrested on May 18 in Charlotte on grand theft and money laundering charges and is awaiting extradition to Manatee County.
How Investigators Say the Scams Worked
Detectives say this case combines two of the most damaging online-fraud tactics: fake investment schemes and romance-style manipulation that steer victims into irreversible payment methods such as gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
FBI data in its 2025 Internet Crime Report say cyber-enabled crimes cost Americans nearly $21 billion last year, with investment and crypto-related scams among the priciest categories.
Scam Tactics to Watch For
Police and consumer watchdogs say the red flags tend to repeat: secrecy, intense pressure to act quickly, instructions to avoid talking to friends or family, and demands for unconventional payments. Requests for gift card numbers and PINs are a particularly bright warning sign.
The consumer-advice pages of the Federal Trade Commission emphasize that legitimate companies and government agencies do not insist on payment by gift card. The agency directs victims and would-be victims to report suspicious activity at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Charges and Extradition
Bradenton police say investigators followed the money into accounts linked to Hildbrand and flagged a string of cryptocurrency transactions once funds began to move. In the Bradenton Police Department post, Hildbrand told detectives she later realized she had been targeted by a romance scam herself and at one point believed she was romantically involved with “Elon Musk.”
The department says Hildbrand will be extradited to Manatee County to face the grand theft and money laundering charges described in the post.
Where to Get Help Locally
The Bradenton Police Department says its elder fraud unit keeps printed resource guides available at headquarters at 100 10th St. W. in Bradenton and can be contacted through the agency’s online resources. Victims are urged to contact their bank immediately, save all messages and payment records, and file complaints with the FBI’s IC3 and with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Investigators in Bradenton say the case is a reminder of how quickly online scams can spiral and how devastating the losses can be for older adults and other targets. Police are asking anyone with information about this case or similar schemes to contact the department so detectives can track suspect accounts and work to cut off further losses.
